Breast Augmentation is also known as Breast Enlargement or Augmentation Mammoplasty. Breast Augmentation can also be performed as part of a Breast Lift, Breast Reduction or Breast Reconstruction. The
breast augmentation procedure consists of placing either saline or silicone implants under the breast tissue (submammary) or under the chest muscles (subpectoral) to increase fullness, as well as create better shape and give more cleavage.
There are a variety of decisions, which a patient needs to make, when choosing to have breast augmentation. The first is the placement of the incision. There are typically 4 choices with a standard breast augmentation surgery.
Breast Augmentation incision placed around the bottom half of the areola
Breast Augmentation incision placed in the infra-mammary fold/breast crease
Breast Augmentation incision placed in the trans-axillary/arm pit
Breast Augmentation incision placed in the naval, called the tuba incision
The other decision pertains to the implant. A patient must decide between saline or silicone implants, the size, shape, and profile. These decisions are important in order to ensure the patient achieves their desired result when having breast augmentation surgery.
Most breast augmentation surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, however there are some plastic surgeons who do offer local anesthesia for their breast augmentation patients. The surgery time for breast augmentation can vary depending on the surgeon and technique, yet breast augmentation usually ranges between 45 minutes to 1 hour.
With all surgery there are a number of risks, however with breast augmentation it is uncommon to have post-surgery complications. There are two main risks patients should be aware of when deciding if they want to have breast augmentation.
1.Rupture of the implant-this can happen with breast augmentation using saline or silicone implants. Ruptures can happen at anytime after breast augmentation surgery, but would be more common over time due to the implant shell wearing down. Breast augmentation with saline implants has a slightly higher rate of rupture compared to breast augmentation with silicone implants.
2.Capsular Contracture-When an implant is placed in the body during breast augmentation, the body is going to naturally form a tissue barrier (or capsule) around it as part of the healing process. At anytime after breast augmentation surgery (weeks, months or years) this capsule could start to thicken. When this happens the breast pocket has less space and causes the implant to feel hard and can cause the implant to move up and lose the shape it had after breast augmentation surgery. Patients sometimes experience discomfort as well. In many cases capsular contracture can be resolved without another breast augmentation surgery. In more severe cases it might be recommended by your plastic surgeon to have revision
breast augmentation surgery to correct the problem.
Breast augmentation is an elective surgery, so cost is a consideration for many patients. A
plastic surgeons cost can vary based on experience, location in the U.S., and the type of implants used. You should know what your fees include, so you are fully prepared for the total costs you will incur.
Fees may include:
1.Surgeon Fee
2.Surgery Center Cost
3.Anesthesiologist Fee
4.Breast Implant Cost
5.Prescribed Medications
6.Post-Surgical Bra
7.Any required medical tests (i.e. blood work, mammogram, physical by primary doctor, ekg, etc.)
8.Pre and Post Operative Recovery Kit
Many plastic surgeons offer financing plans for breast augmentation surgery.
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures today. There were approximately 300,000 breast augmentations performed in the U.S. in 2010. This was a 2% increase from the year prior.
